Reflector sign



WWI] 2, 194% W. H. RAPP I 2236-068 REFLECTOR SIGN Filed Feb. 6, 1940 2 SheetsSheec 1 INVENTOR BY M [ZZdWH 7%Zfl v 3 5 C iATTORNEY March 25,, 1941 w H RAPP 2,236,068

REFLECTOR SIGN Filed Feb. 6, 1940 2 Slwets-Sheet 2 INVENT Mzzm ME? BY Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in reflector signs used for numbers and name plates and particularly intended for interior and exterior signs, and for highway signs, railroads, crossingmarkers, billboard advertisements, and other general exterior and interior sign purposes. The invention also contemplates the use of recessed letters, numbers or figures arranged in a particular manner presenting reflecting letters, numerals or figures, as desired.

The invention has for an object the construction of an article as mentioned which is characterized by a flat rigid plate upon which numbers and letters may be secured. The invention proposes a simple and efficient way of supporting the rigid plate on the ground or projecting from walls, doorwayspr other places.

The invention further contemplates constructing the letters, numerals or figures in a certain manner so as to obtain the recessed and reflecting effect mentioned.

Still further the invention contemplates the association of a reflector with the rigid plate to reflect light from the vicinity and so call attention to the sign.

Still further the invention proposes a novel way of securing numbers and letters upon the rigid plate.

The invention contemplates constructing the rigid plates in several'sizes for accommodating more or less letters or numbers, as a particular job may require.

Furthermore, the invention proposes the pro vision of brackets of various sizes and suitable supporting mechanism for supporting the rigid plates mentioned.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanyngdrawings forming a material part of this disclosure- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a sign constructed according to this invention and illustrated with the numbers or letters mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the sign shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a sign constructed in accordance with a modification of this invention,

Fig. 4. is an end elevational view of the sign shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of another sign constructed in accordance with another form of this invention.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 'l is an elevational view of a sign constructed in accordance with another form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic elevational view of a sign or marker arranged in accordance with another modified form of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of a sign constructed according to anotherform of the invention.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed view of a per-** tion of the rigid plate shown in Fig. 9, to disclose details of one of the rivets and its mounting.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line I lll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a sign constructed in accordance with another modification of this invention.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view the line I3-l3 of Fig. 12. v

Fig. 14 is an end view of the rigid plate used in Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is an edge elevational view of a numeral constructed in accordance with this invention and intended to be used in the sign.

Fig. 16 is a front elevational view of the back plate of the numeral shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a front elevational view of the face plate and reflecting plate of the numeral shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is an elevational view of a half sized spacer constructed in accordance with the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 12.

' Fig. 19 is a partial sectional view of the tubular rivet used in this device.

Fig. 20 is a front elevational view of a reflector plate.

The sign for numbers and letters, in accordance with the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, includes a rigid plate |2,preferably of hot rolled steel sheet material adapted to receive and support numbers and letters as hereinafter more fully described. A bracket I3 is mounted upon one side of the plate [2 and is taken on connected with a suitable support for supporting the sign. This bracket has a bottom socket portion 13 into which a vertical rod I4 is mounted. This rod forms a part of the support. The rod l4 may be solid or hollow. At its lower end it is provided with a cap I5. The cap I5 is engaged in between the arms of a horizontal channel member I6, or the cap can be eliminated by brazing or welding rod I4 to the channel or flat strip of metal.

A self-tapping screw or other fastening element I'I secures the cap I5 to the channel IS. The cap I5 may also be welded or brazed to the channel member to more rigidly connect these parts. Another channel I8 is extended at right angles across the bottom of the channel I 6'. The screw I! is engaged through the central portion of the channel I8 to secure this channel to the channel I6. Moreover, the joint may be reinforced by Welding or brazing.

The upper end of the rod I4 is provided with threads M which are threadedly engaged into the portion I3 of the bracket I3. The bracket I3 has a top portion I3 which is disposed across the top of the portion I3 at right angles thereof. This top portion I3 has a slot into which a tab portion I2 formed on the edge .of the rigid plate I2 engages. The tab portion I2 may be securely held connected with the bracket I3 by fastening elements engaging 'into openings 2i formed in these parts.

Another bracket 23 ismounted on another side of the plate I2. This bracket 23 engages a tab portion I2 formed on this edge of the rigi-dplate I2. Fastening elements may engage through openings 24 formed in the adjacent material of the bracket '23 andtab I2 to rigidly connect these parts together. The bracket 23 has a horizontal tubular portion 23 adapted to receive reflector buttons, reflecting glass or Lucite members, or the like.

Various numbers or letters to form a name plate, or the like, may be mounted upon the rigid plate I2. These letters and numbers may be secured in place by rivets, fastening elements, or the like as hereinafter more fully described relative to the other forms of this invention, which show letters and numbers applied.

This particular sign maybe used by embedding the lower portion of the rod I4 into the ground so that the channels I6 and I8 are also in the ground and serve to firmly hold the rod I4 in a vertical position. The reflectors which are proposed to be mounted'on the bracket 23 will refiect light from the vicinity, and call attention to the sign.

In Figs. 3 and 4 another embodiment of the invention has been disclosed which is very similar to the prior form. In this form there is a fiat rigid plate I2 "of a shorter length than the plate I2illustrated in the prior form. 'This plate I2 has numerals 25 mounted on the front and rear faces thereof. Each of these numbers is secured by topand bottom rivets 25. Theseriv- 'ets are preferably made of two portions 2t and 26 Portion 26 is tubular and is adapted to receive the stem portion 26 which may be forced into the .hollow of member 26 and held therein frictionally at any set position. These rivets are so arranged that each rivet assists in securing the numbers 25 on each of the sides of the plate I2. The plate I2 must be drilled or punched with suitable openings for the rivets 26. Preferably, the rivets .26 should be of tubular form formed from two sections which may be hammered together.

A bracket 23 is mounted upon a top tab I2 of the plate I2. This bracket 23 supports the reflectors 28. The plate I2 is supported at the bottom by a bracket I3 which is mounted upon the top of a rod I4. In other respects this'form of the invention is similar to the previous form.

In Figs. 5 and 6 another form of the invention has been disclosed which is similar to the previous form, distinguishing merely in the fact that this sign is composed from a flat rigid plate I2 supported upon a bottom bracket I3", which in turn is supported upon a vertical rod It". A top bracket 23 is mounted on the plate I2 and is provided with a front reflector lens 28. The back of the bracket 23 isclosed with a plug as. Letters 3I are mounted on the front face of the plate I2 by the use of rivets 32. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous forms.

In Fig. '7 another form of the invention is disclosed which is similar to the prior forms, distinguishing merely in the fact that the rigid fiat plate I2 is supported by a bracket I3 secured to one side. This bracket is connected with a wall flange 33 supported on a wall 34. At the outer end the plate I2 is provided with a bracket 23 supporting reflectors 23. The letters or numbers to form the sign should be mounted on the front and back faces of the plate I 2. In other respects this form of the'inven'tion-is similar to the previous forms.

In Fig. 7 wall flange 33 may be eliminated and bracket I3 screwed into a T or fitting fastened to rod 'I4 to be hung over hedges, walls, etc.

One'faceplate on both or either sides-of rigid plate I2 covering the entire surface with necessary cutouts or stampings as required for letters, numbers 'orfigures is fastened by soldering, brazing or welding to the rigid plate. The refleeting material .is placed between both plates before fastening method is made, thus forming a complete solid unit. The tubular rivets may be substituted in place of brazing, welding, etc., forming a continuous face surface with one face plate.

Springs can be fastened to back plate of letters, numbers, or figures by soldering-brazing, or welding, and when so fastened no slot or hole is necessary for face or back plateof letters, numbers or figures. The tensioned leaf spring holds firmly the letters, etc., against rigid plate while track channels keep letters, etc., in position. The letters, numbers, and figures can be removed or adjusted as desired.

The tubular rivets described herein are also to be used to fasten plain, recessed letters, numbers andfigures of reflecting materials or other materials of plain or raised surfaces. These materialsof various thicknesses are to be used oneX- isting signs.

Holes maybe drilled or punched in the metal, Lucite or other reflecting materials which will permit the glass or Lucite portion of the reflector lens unit of clear crystal or of any other color to protrude beyond the reflecting surface, thus increasing the reflectivity. The body of the re flector lens unit is inserted in the back plate which may beof variable thickness.

In Fig. 8 still another embodiment of the invention has been disclosed distinguishing from the prior form in the fact that a pipe fitting 35 is supported on a vertical rod or pipe 35 which is mounted in the ground '31. The lower end of the pipe 36 is provided with a pair of crossing channels 38 and 39 to form a suitable foundation. Reflector lenses or the like may be mounted in the side ends of the pipe fitting 35. This pipe fitting may be of various designs and shapes, depending merely upon taste.

In Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive, still another form of the invention is disclosed distinguishing" from the prior forms in an arrangement whereby the letters may be suitably spaced upon the supporting plate l2"? According to this form of the invention the rivets 32 which are used-to support the letters 3i are formed. from :two sections. There is a .rear section 32 having a tubular shank which is engaged by a solid shank of a front section 32 These rivets pass through elongated slots '30 formed in the material of the plate l2".

Each slot to is provided with a leaf spring 4! which has a longitudinal portion M extending substantially the length of the slot, and end portions M engaging the material of the plate 12" for supporting the leaf spring in position. With this arrangement it is possible to shift the letters 3i laterally, in either direction as limited by the length of the slots 40. Thus it is possible to properly space the letters in relation to each other. Once the letters are suitably spaced the sections of the rivets may be hammered down very tightly to frictionally hold the letters in adjusted positions.

In Figs. 12 to 18 inclusive another modified form of the invention is disclosed. The sign herein includes a rigid plate l2, preferably of hot rolled steel sheet material adapted to receive and support numerals and letters as hereinafter more fully described. A bracket 13 is mounted upon one side of the plate l2 and is connected with a suitable support for supporting the sign. This bracket has a bottom socket portion I3 into which a vertical rod I4 is mounted, This rod forms a part of the support. Another bracket 23 is mounted on the other side of the plate l2. This bracket 23 has a horizontal tubular portion 23* supporting reflectors 28.

Opposed pairs of tracks are mounted on each of the faces of the plate l2 and are adapted to support letters and numbers. Each track 45 has a portion 45 mounted upon and projecting at right angles from the plate l2, and a portion 45 projecting at right angles to the portion 45 A space MS is thus formed between each portion 45 and the adjacent portion of the plate P2. In this space the letters and numerals are supported.

Each letter or numeral is formed from several layers or sheets of material. Each has a back plate M which is of a height to slip in between opposed spaces 46 of the tracks on one side of the plate l2. A face plate 48 is formed with cut out portions 49 forming the numeral or letter. A reflecting sheet 50 is mounted upon the back of the face plate 49. These parts may be secured together with cement, or in any other manner, such as welding, brazing or the like. Certain of the numerals or letters, are of designs having an island portion, such as the portion 49 This portion is mounted on the reflecting sheet of the plate ill. The plates 41, 5B and 48 are secured together as a unit. This may be accomplished with Glyptal cement, or by brazing, welding, soldering or other methods.

The integrated numeral, letter or figure unit is ground and sanded to a smooth finish. The reflecting sheet which is visible through the cutouts of the facing plate is then covered with a suitable masking paste or other protective material, and then the complete unit is given a siccative coating with protective material, The unit may then be placed in an oven and baked, or an air dry finish may be applied without baking. After the siccative coating is dry, the masking paste or other material is then removed with Water or other solvents and dried with warm air.

' The sheet 50 may be of any desired reflecting material and design and may also be substituted by a suitable non-reflecting surfaces. 7

Each of the individual plates of the unit is formed with a slot 5! or hole whichmay be punched in or drilled in the plates along its top and bottom portions. 'In the completed unit these slots aresuperimposed, as shown in Fig. 15. The unit is mounted on the plate l2 by slipping it inwards upon the tracks from one of the open ends. Then rivets or other fastening elements 52 are engaged through the portions 45* of the tracks and the plate I2 and through the openings 5| of the unit to hold the unit in position. The ends of the sign are closed with half sized spacers 53. These spacers may comprise several sheets of material, or one sheet of material, of a suitable thickness to slip into the ends of the tracks 45. The spacers are fixedly held by rivets 52 which are engaged through the material of the tracks 45, the plate l2 and the spacer 53.

In Fig. 20 a reflecting plate 50 is illustrated with reflector lens 5|. This type of reflecting plate with any number of suitably arranged reflector lens may be used in connection with the device.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by United State Letters Patent is:

1, In a sign used for numbers and name plates, a flat rigid plate for numbers and letters, and numbers or letters mounted on said plate, said letters or numbers being secured with rivets engaged through openings therein and extending through horizontal elongated openings in said plate, leaf springs mounted in said elongated openings and abutting said rivets for frictionally holding the rivets in adjusted positions, and each rivet being formed from a front section and a rear section adapted to be tightly driven together after the letters have been properly adjusted for fixedly holding them.

2. In a sign used for numbers and name plates, a flat rigid plate formed with laterally extended elongated slots, numbers or letters for engagement on said plate, said numbers or letters being formed with apertures in aligned positions with said slots, rivets freely engaged through said aligned apertures and slots, whereby said numbers and letters may be shifted with relation to each other to properly space said numbers or letters on said plate, and means on said plate for temporarily holding said numbers or letters in their adjusted positions.

3. In a sign used for numbers and name plates, a flat rigid plate formed with laterally extended elongated slots, numbers or letters for engagement on said plate, said numbers or letters being said .plate and engaging said rivets to limit sliding.

4. In a sign used for numbers and name plates, a flat rigid plate formed with laterally extended elongated slots, numbers or letters for engagement on saidplate, said numbers or letters being formed with apertures in aligned positions with said slots, rivets freely engaged through .said aligned apertures andslots, whereby said numbers .andletters may be shifted with relation to each *other to ;proper1y-.-space:said numbers or 

